Break Free | Jacksepticeye x Reader

Chapter VII

Jack found himself thinking of the odd girl in the library more and more as the next week came and went. He'd never felt something quite like this – and the inhibitors didn't seem to be helping him much.

It was odd that he felt the need to see her. He felt that his day wouldn't be complete without seeing her at least once – and she was always in the library. She never moved from the library.

He guessed the cause was her fragile condition – yet [Y/N] seemed to be the opposite of fragile. Expressing her emotions so openly in this city was a brave move, if not stupid. Being emotional was a sure way of being kept away from everybody else. It seemed inevitable that she would end up in the DEN to Jack.

But it felt wrong to think of [Y/N] having to stay in a cell-like room for the rest of her days. She was like a bird, she needed to be free – not caged like some rabid dog. [Y/N] was the opposite of rabid – maybe not to the rest of Plaisteacha, they would think of her as a filthy 'carrier'. No one was ever kind to those who carried SOS. Jack only felt disgust towards them at one time too, but [Y/N] was steadily changing his opinion.

She was different.

And Jack just couldn't get his mind off her.

"Jack?" the Irishman was startled back into reality, his cobalt blue eyes instantly meeting the ever emotionless Ken's.

Jack cleared his throat and straightened his back – he'd completely forgotten that he was in the middle of a meeting.

"Are you feeling unwell? You can be excused if you would like to visit the clinic." Emma, the lead project manager stated. Jack could almost feel his skin burning with the amount of stares.

"Uh – no, that won't be necessary." His words were articulated and formal to fit the set standards. It had been something he found to dislike very quickly – Jack almost had an urge to speak his mind now. But he would have to bite his tongue if he wanted to keep his job.

"You've been acting odd for the past few days. Maybe you should go." Ken chimed in – his tone sounded a lot more solid than Emma's.

Everyone's eyes stayed on the Irishman – their gazes would be questioning, awaiting a clearer answer from the man. He absent-mindedly bit his lip as he took in a sharp inhale, he couldn't keep hiding his disease. If the company were to find out through other means, then Jack would be sent straight to the DEN. He didn't want that – not yet.

"There's something I've been meaning to tell you all," he started, his voice almost betrayed him as he spoke. "Last week I was diagnosed with SOS. It's only the first stage and I am still very competent to carry on working. I hope this doesn't bring any inconveniences to any of you." He finished – yet [Y/N]'s words seemed to ring in his head,

'Emotions are what make us human, you shouldn't be ashamed of them.'

However, the many judgemental stares her received from his colleagues made him feel very ashamed. Jack knew it wasn't his fault he caught the disease – but maybe he could have done more to prevent it.

His train of thought was once more interrupted,

"Thank you for telling us, Jack." Emma stated, she seemed to be giving him a neutral look, to which Jack was thankful for.

"Its terrible news, I'm so sorry for you." He recognized Olivia's voice and his attention immediately turned to the snide girl, "But I do believe you should work away from us for now on."

Jack swallowed hard at the statement, and he had to hide his hurt as numerous voices chimed in agreement. Ken nodded his head in approval,

"So it's settled then," the bearded Canadian supposed, "Jack, your workstation shall be moved to the unused storage closet. Now, let's carry on with the meeting shall we?" Jack wasn't even given a chance to argue his case.